Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are enlarged or varicose veins of the anus and rectum. There are two types of hemorrhoids, external and internal, which can occur separately or in combination. A person could have a single hemorrhoid or have several at the same time. External hemorrhoids develop under the skin just outside the opening of the anus.
They are usually painful if they develop a clot thrombose , in which case they appear as very tender, circular, purplish bulges around the anal opening. Internal hemorrhoids are often present without causing any discomfort or even awareness of their existence. This is because there is rectal lining mucous membrane around internal hemorrhoids, rather than nerve-rich skin.
You might experience a feeling of fullness in the rectum, as if you need to have a bowel movement. However, if a hemorrhoid loses its blood supply strangulates it can become very painful.
Sometimes an internal hemorrhoid pushes down or stretches until it bulges outside of the anus prolapse. This could manifest as a pinching sensation in the anal area, or you may notice a painless lump when you wipe after a bowel movement. The extra bumps and crevasses of hemorrhoids could lead to improper cleaning of the area, resulting in anal itching. Hemorrhoids have many predisposing causes but, in most cases, increased pressure in the abdomen plays a key role.
Some of the most common underlying factors for developing hemorrhoids include constipation and straining during bowel movements, repeated lifting of heavy objects, frequent diarrhea, prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, and pregnancy. Excessive abdominal pressure can cause the small veins around the anus and rectum to stretch. As the veins lose their elasticity, they become distended with blood and more likely to thrombose and become more fragile.
